Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Do Not Give Up! On Prayer and the Promises of God

One of life's greatest mysteries concerns the interplay between the individual and God. "Experiencing God" as my friend Henry Blackaby articulated it, is not a hard and fast science. Most believers in Jesus Christ who I know still struggle to understand the dynamics and the practical interplay between God's Word, God's activity, and their actions. Consider what Jesus had to say in His Sermon on the Mount.

Nestled in the final chapter between Jesus' instructions on dealing with anxiety, worry, judgmental attitudes, and the Golden Rule, is a prescient  promise. "Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). The verbs in this verse depict continuous action, "keep on asking, seeking, and knocking." 

It appears that the asking is directed exclusively toward God. Jesus states in verse 11, "how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ASK  HIM." Here, our needs drive us to the Lord. What do you need? "Ask God for it,” Jesus instructs us. Everything from life's basic necessities, guidance in decisions great and small, to God's provisions when faced with overwhelming circumstances are fair game. When faced with the dilemma of choosing between multiple options, or faced with no opportunities or prospects, Jesus' instruction is the same, "Ask your Father in heaven!"

Coupled with asking our Father, Jesus also instructs us to keep on seeking and knocking. Seeking is when we look for the answer. Knocking is when we inquire and that repeatedly. So what is Jesus saying? "You get busy looking and inquiring. God will give an answer." So, how long do you ask, seek, and knock? Until you get an answer. It may take a day, a week, or years. Keep on! The answer is God's. The cooperation is yours.

Here is one caveat. If you have unfinished business with God, some area where God has said, "stop" and you persist, or God has said "go" and you have said "no," (recall Jonah) realize that God will not reward disobedience. God is patient. Then again, there are times when God withholds an immediate answer to prayer because He is working according to His timetable (recall Abraham, Sarah, and God's promise of an heir). So here is the point: live clean and trust God. Ask Him and then look for an answer.


So what do you do when you pray and no answer comes? Keep praying. Do not quit. Do not stop. Focus on who God is. Comfort yourself with the knowledge that God is God and nothing is too hard for Him. Add to this the assurance that God's care for you and love for you is limitless. He is not vindictive but has His own agenda. And He wants you to be part of His plan. If you do not see the answer, keep trusting God. Keep praying. Refuse to give up.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

3 Things To Do When Circumstances Get Tough

From the moment I surrendered to the ministry as a college junior, the only thing I ever wanted to do was serve the Lord. Coming to grips with my "giftedness," I learned experientially that I was best suited for the pastorate. Nevertheless, this journey has taken me into some directions that I had not pursued or even considered. I have been a seminary professor, interim pastor, and Academic Dean of a seminary. I have also spent considerable time as a writer with four books and numerous articles. 

When I look back on the paths that Fern and I have taken, it might be easy to point fingers and blame circumstances, certain antagonists, or even the devil for some of the events we have had to endure. Yet, when the dust settles, I have to conclude that all things have been permitted by God, and ultimately our lives are in His hands. And instead of complaining wisdom dictates that we be thankful because only God knows what He is doing. Some of the things that I might want to complain about the loudest, may be the very tool He is using to prepare us for the greatest part of our journey.

When I look at Moses, I see a man who easily could have gotten bitter over the circumstances he endured. Forty years as a shepherd in the wilderness was certainly a contrast to where he spent the first four decades of his life. Yet, what seemed like a wasted existence turned out to be preparation for his greatest work. The same can be said of Joseph. The worst of circumstances proved to be the setting of an incredible feat of preserving life. Did Joseph not tell his brothers that "what men meant for evil, God meant for good?"

So where does that leave us and what markers can we put down? 

1. Before blaming God for bad circumstances, consider that this might be preparation for your greatest work. 
2. Look for God's leading in the midst of those circumstances. 
3. Realize that God is not through with you on this earth until you step into eternity.

One of the great Christian leaders in American history was Jonathan Edwards. After 24 years as Senior Pastor of the Congregational Church at Northampton, he was fired. What happened next was intriguing. He accepted a position at Stockbridge, an insignificant position by comparison to his former work. Yet, what appeared to be a great misfortune and injustice proved to be one of the greatest blessings to subsequent generations. It was at Stockbridge that Edwards penned some of his greatest works. If he had not had circumstances unfold as they did, we might never have captured some of the great insights from this great man of God.


Let me encourage you to let God be God in your life. If He cares enough about us to give us His Son, Jesus, certainly He cares enough about you to be in ultimate control of your life. So, I challenge you to trust Him when you are tempted to doubt, complain, or point fingers of blame. Fix your eyes on Jesus and trust that He still has work for you to accomplish.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

9 Ways to Find Success as a Pastor

"Success in any organization is quite simple. Find out how they keep score, and score." -Peter Drucker 


In order to "score," pastors must be proactive, take initiative, and do the things that will provide a return on the investment of time and energy. With over 30 years in the pastorate, I have had an opportunity to observe many pastors at work. Many have been quite successful, many have not been. Here are nine final ways pastors can reach success.

  1. Be open and approachable. The Biblical term is "easy to be entreated." Jesus, the classic role model for all pastors, was approached on numerous occasions by needy people. In fact, Scripture records no instances when Jesus said He was too busy, not interested, or simply unavailable. There was a time when Jesus asked, "Who made me a judge over you?" There were times when Jesus avoided certain places because of threats. He heard people out unless He knew they were working off an agenda that was contrary to His mission. He never saw Himself as too important for common people.
  2. Learn to delegate. They know that they cannot do everything, so they do the things that only they can do and delegate the rest to faithful people. In their delegation, they communicate clearly what needs to be done, set parameters, allocate sufficient resources, and agree to a time table. They give those on their team latitude to fail, but not to fail massively. They do screen carefully those to whom they delegate. Proverbs says "Confidence in an unfaithful man in times of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint." Recall how Paul taught this principle in 2 Timothy 2:2, "The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." And when you delegate remember that these three concepts go together. Delegate responsibility for the task, give authority to accomplish the task, and establish accountability to ensure that the task is accomplished in the correct manner and in the appropriate time-frame.
  3. Be a builder. Building takes multiple forms. We build people, we build teams, we build movements, we build organizations, we build ideas, and we build facilities to house the organization with its activities. Building requires the pastor to identify needs, understand God's intention, equip leadership, motivate people, cast vision, communicate and ask for sacrificial buy-in. An old pastor known as a seasoned veteran was once asked, "How do you know if your ministry was successful?" He responded, "Did you leave the wood pile larger than when you found it?" When you finally walk away from where you are serving, can you look back and see a difference that God has made through you?
  4. Know when to listen and when to ignore. Not every person or cause is worth giving time to. This is a bit different from the concept of being approachable. When Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall at Jerusalem, three detractors appealed to him to come down and discuss the matter. Their motive was to stop Nehemiah. He simply responds that he does not have time to meet with them. So how do you know when to give someone time and when to say "no?" This is where discernment comes in. Does this person (or persons) have a need, or an agenda? In most instances, if a salesman called, I would say send me information and I will get back with you if I am interested. You are under no obligation to meet with someone who has your worst interest or only their own interest as their agenda. Pray for discernment and refuse to waste your time.
  5. Touch lives. Who are you impacting and influencing? Who are you touching? When I hear of pastors who don't do weddings, funerals, or hospital visits, I am amazed at how they have truncated their ministry. These are times when we can most effectively minister to people. Make it your ambition to touch people. The old adage about "managing by wandering around" is actually great ministry advice. A call, email, card, letter, or personal word can make an incredible difference. Touching lives is something that is intentional and deliberate. It is something that you decide to do and then follow through on by actually doing something.
  6. Follow through on promises. Whenever you make a promise, keep it! When you make it, write it down so you do not forget. When you make a promise to someone, great or small, the person to whom the promise is made will not forget. So, you better not either. Scripture contains a little phrase, "swear to your own hurt." That means if you make a promise, keep it, even if it costs you personally. Follow through on promises. If you tell someone you will do something, do it. And if you forget to do it, ask for forgiveness, and then do it. Follow through on promises that you make!
  7. Seek wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to see life from God's perspective and then speak or act accordingly. The book of James tells us that if we lack wisdom, ask God for it and he will give it. Wisdom is a hallmark of successful pastors. At times the wisest thing we can do is keep quiet. At other times it comes from asking the right questions to the right people. Sometimes it comes from pure discernment where after waiting on God He says, "this is what I want you to do." Sometimes it comes from insight found in your Scripture reading or from a passage that you have memorized. Sometimes it comes as we pray. There are multiple ways that God can give you wisdom. 
  8. Carry a sense of expectation. Another word for this is "faith" or "belief." Successful pastors expect God to move, to speak, to convict, and to lead. They are not surprised when God moves in big and unexpected ways. They pray fully believing that God has heard and that He will act on their behalf. They expect God to be actively involved in the ministry to which He has called them. So, are you living and laboring under a sense of of expectation? What are you asking for and expecting God to do?
  9. Make much of Jesus. They understand that their work is first and foremost the task of presenting Jesus to the world. They preach Jesus, talk about Jesus, write about Jesus, and constantly see Him as the center of their world and worldview. Their preoccupation is to be pleasing to Him. Their heart's desire is to be like Him in what they say and what they do. Their passion is to be conformed to His image. Christ-likeness is the great motivation of their lives. Successful pastors make much of Who Jesus is and what He can do in anyone's and everyone's life!

My prayer for you is that you will be successful in what really matters when it comes to ministry. May God honor and bless your work. May you someday hear from The Lord, "Well done good and faithful servant."

This is the third in a series of posts on successful pastors. Take a look here and here for the first two posts in the series. 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

How Successful Pastors Think

Last week, I took a first look at the habits of successful pastors. I cannot overemphasize the truth that the issue is not what they know or intend to do, but what they actually get done. Today I want to unpack how a successful pastor thinks. 

1. Successful pastors have an intentional walk with God. They have a disciplined intake of Scripture which is balanced and consistent. They get into the Word so the Word gets into them. Coupled with a disciplined intake of the Word is a consistent life of prayer. Jesus gave us a pattern for prayer in the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 and 7. Paul taught us much about the importance of prayer as the alternative to worry. Be assured. God knows our needs, but often He waits for us to ask for His intervention. If something is big enough to worry about, it is big enough to pray about. If you have a need, take it to the Lord in prayer.
2. Successful pastors communicate on a variety of levels. Of course, their principal responsibility is to communicate the Word of God on a weekly if not daily basis. To do this effectively takes time, discipline, effort, and training. There is a price to pay to be effective in the pulpit. Aside from this, pastors need to communicate with staff, leadership, his congregation, and whenever possible to a larger audience. Successful pastors make use of social media and see themselves as agents of God's grace to a hurting world. If you study the Pastoral Epistles, you will find over 50 references to communicating in one form or another. Communicate!
3. Successful pastors evaluate everything in light of their concern for the church. No matter what the situation, every activity, every choice, every response, every decision, every allocation of time and money should be made in light of how it will affect their church and its witness. Before you do or say something you might regret, ask yourself "how will this affect my church's witness? Will this strengthen or weaken my church's influence for the cause of Christ?"
4. Successful pastors solve problems. Problem solving is looking at something in the past that either went wrong, did not work, or fell short of expectations. Then it asks, "what needs to be done to fix this situation?" Lay out the options, pray for discernment, and choose the best solution in light of the available resources. Successful pastors have learned to solve problems. Problem solving is oriented toward the past. It is looking back.
5. Successful pastors make decisions. This activity is present-tense in its orientation. It is looking at present resources of time, energy, and finances. Then, when options are seen clearly, it decides. Procrastination is often the enemy of effective decision making. Here is where deadlines are helpful. There is a time to gather information and there is a time to decide. Successful pastors and effective leaders know how to make decisions and then move ahead.
6. Successful pastors plan. Planning is oriented toward the future. Whether planning what to do tomorrow, next week, or next year, planning is essential if anything is ever to be accomplished. Successful pastors plan on a variety of levels. They plan their personal lives, they plan their work, they lead planning on behalf of their church and its ministries. Successful pastors and successful ministries, and successful churches are always asking, "God, what do you want us to do?" "What can we do that will make a difference for eternity?" "What can we do that will minister to hurting people?" "What can we do that will build up and equip believers for effective service?" Successful pastors are always looking down the road.
7. Successful pastors are life-long learners. Those who quit learning quit leading. It is as simples as that. Every successful pastor I know is a reader and a learner. So, what are you reading? And what are you learning? Who from the past and present is influencing you today? What 10 books have been most influential in your life and ministry? What magazines, journals, blogs, podcasts, and twitter feeds do you keep up with? Who is influencing you?
8. Successful pastors develop others. In Ephesians 4, Paul writes about the responsibility of pastors to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. It is incredibly important to equip and teach by example. If the one who is leading and teaching is not doing, or has not done, the work of ministry, how can they teach others? Pastor, how are you developing yourself, your staff, and your leadership? What are you doing to develop new leaders and ministers? What opportunities are you providing for potential leaders and ministers? What are you modeling for the purpose of developing others?


Next week I will wrap up this series of posts with a checklist of the successful pastor's perspective. What comes to mind when you think of a successful pastor? 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

8 Habits of a Successful Pastor

Last spring I wrote about the characteristics of a successful pastor. Today, I would like to talk about what a successful pastor does. When the dust settles and time gives perspective, what a person does or does not do will in many ways determine whether or not they are successful. 

Successful pastors do the will of God. What does that look like in the life and ministry of the contemporary pastor's life? 

8 Habits of a Successful Pastor

  1. Successful pastors value their calling. They understand that the work they have set out to accomplish is God's work and not their own. And they understand that they serve a Master who has called them to a higher calling. They understand that they are to follow where He leads and to stay until He says "go." What they do carries eternal results and consequences. What they do is more important than making money and making a living. They are God's representative, God's ambassador, God's spokesman. As such, they take seriously the stewardship of responsibility. They do not sell themselves cheaply, neither do they sell themselves short. They understand the value of their giftedness, their training, their experience and their scars. They have an intrinsic grasp of their value to God's Kingdom and refuse to let the world discount that value.
  2. Successful pastors grasp the task. Serving as a pastor necessitates the cultivation of numerous skills. Yet, all the skills in the world are worthless if you find yourself doing the wrong things. The calling of a pastor is primarily doing the will of God God's way with the ultimate goal of extending God's Kingdom. If the Apostles' work serves as a pattern, then that calling's tasks consist of leading, feeding, and interceding. Over the course of decades, the successful pastor works to cultivate these skills and abilities. This is a life-long endeavor. School is never out nor over.
  3. Successful pastors live with purpose. Pastors should have purpose-driven ministries. Pastors should keep before them the purposes for which their congregations exist: evangelism, discipleship, worship, fellowship, and ministry. The pastor's work is to insure that these purposes in balance are the primary activities of the church.
  4. Successful pastors live by priorities. An old adage says that "those who fail to prioritize find themselves in the thick of thin things." So what should be a pastor's priorities? First, his relationship to The Lord. Let's not be so busy in the wok of the Kingdom that we do not have time for the King. Second, his relationship with his family. Third, the ministry of the church. If these priorities ever get out of sequence, difficulties in ministry will be close behind.
  5. Successful pastors manage their time well. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. So what can you do to make the most of your time? First, work from a calendar and a day-planner. To know ahead of time what you must plan for is of critical importance and precludes you from getting caught off guard unnecessarily. I work off a "projects for the week" list on an ongoing basis. Second, prioritize what must be done first on a day by day basis. I suggest doing that the day before. Third, delegate what you can, and do what only you can do. Fourth, learn to say "no." You cannot do everything and everything is not worth doing. Finally, take time to take care of yourself. Burn-out is not a spiritual condition. 
  6. Successful pastors work with diligence. When it is time to work, it is time to work. Determine what needs to be done, and get busy. As pastor, you set the pace. Planning and preparation will help you to be more productive. What is your schedule? What are you trying to accomplish? Write it down and check it off when the job is done.
  7. Successful pastors compartmentalize. Too many times, I have seen pastors consumed with worry and fretting over "what-ifs," and consequently they are semi-paralyzed. Successful pastors know how to put things they cannot control into a box with the understanding that they can get to that subject later. Being preoccupied with too many "other things" can cause the pastor to be ineffective in the moment. If there is a concern, write it down, reflect on the alternative steps of action, and pray about it. Then, put it away. One reason our sub-conscience will not stop mulling over something, is because we are afraid we will miss or forget something. If we write it down, the sub-conscience will let it go.
  8. Successful pastors guard their heart. They understand that their entire life's work is in the context of a spiritual war. Satan is out to destroy men and their ministries. Destruction too often begins internally with an unguarded heart. I challenge you to continuously monitor the state of your heart. Only clean vessels are useful in the hands of God.
Which of these habits is most challenging for you? How do you continue to grow in these areas? 

Looking for more about pastoral success? Check out 7 Pillars of a Successful Pastor's Attitude and What Successful Pastors Desire

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

4 Characteristics of a Great Dad

mattsledge / Flickr
Scripture is replete with good and bad examples of of fathers. In Judges, both Eli and Samuel were dedicated priests but defective parents. In contrast, we do find some outstanding examples of what a good father is like. Consider Zebedee whose two sons, James and John, became disciples and Apostles. What did he do that proved so constructive to his children? Consider these four characteristics.

First, he influenced his sons by his presence. Matthews' Gospel tells us that they worked together. Every child needs time with his or her father. We only influence people when we spend time with them. The idea that quality time is a legitimate substitute for quantity time is a myth. So, for you fathers, are you spending time with your kids? Remember, you only have a limited season to influence your kids, then the opportunity is gone.

Second, he imparted his values. He taught them how to work and how to work together. He taught them how to solve problems, plan, and make decisions. He showed them how to put God first in everything. 

Third, he was involved in his sons' lives. By this, I mean more than just being present. He was so involved that his sons were known as "the sons of Zebedee." Also they were called "the sons of thunder" which for better or worse demonstrated his influence because of his involvement. In the words of Cat Stevens, "I want to be like you dad, I want to be just like you." My attitude was always if my kids turn out bad, it was because they spent too much time with me and not from a lack of time.

Finally, he taught his children to be independent. Our goal should be to lead each child from total dependence upon us to a total dependence upon the Lord. As we help them on the pathway to independence from us, we need to give them two things: roots and wings. "Roots" represent security, identity, and the sense that they belong. They are loved unconditionally. "Wings" say you can spread your wings and fly! You can become whatever God wants you to become. We will be there to help you, encourage you, and facilitate your pressing on to maturity.


What lessons have you learned about parenting from your parents or by being a parent yourself? 

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Champions Are Made in the Off Season

Photo by Flickr user  See-ming Lee 李思明 SML
One of my favorite quotations is the title of this blog, "Champions are made in the off season." This statement is loaded with truth. When others are relaxing, the future champion knows that the gift of time is his or her opportunity to prepare, to plan, to dream, and to focus. It is the window where they can work to improve and perfect their skills, hone their disciplines, and intensify their determination. 

Moses is quoted in Psalm 90:12 as saying, "Lord, teach us to number our days that we might gain a heart of wisdom." When we come to grips with the truth that life is short, that our opportunities are limited, and that life is not a dress rehearsal, we can calmly conclude that we must focus on what is of utmost importance. In general terms it means living out the will of God. But specifically it means doing what God wants when He wants it.

So, you find yourself in an off season and you are not sure how to prepare for your next arena. What then? What do you do when you don't know what to do? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Realize that you have a gift of time. You can decide to waste it or invest it. Make the determined decision to invest your time wisely. What can you do with your time that will prepare you for where you would like to be if the right door opens? Your discretionary time may only be a few hours a day. What will you do with it?

2.   Knowing your experiences, your passions, your skills, your giftedness, your maturity level, and your dreams, what do you want to accomplish? If that opportunity suddenly materialized, what knowledge, disciplines, and skills would you be required to possess? Start working today to acquire what you need. The only one stopping you is you.

3. Write down what you believe you should be doing. In different terminology, write out what you believe may be God's will for your life. This will provide you a target. It will help you focus on where to invest your time. Looking every day at what you have written will assist you to stay on point.

4. If it is God's will you want to know, then set aside time daily to read His Word. Much of what God wants for your life is found in Scripture. You will not know what it is, if you do not take time to read it. I also suggest that you ask the Lord, "What is it you want for my life?" How often are we guilty of living out the biblical truth, "You have not because you ask not?"

5. Start sharpening your skills and gaining the knowledge you think you will need now. Do you need to return to school? Do you need to read a certain amount of books? What is it that will prepare you for what you want to do? Take the initiative to prepare yourself. Get started now. Anticipate that when you are ready, God will open the door.

I am wrapping up reading through the Pentateuch (the first five books in the Bible). One of the central figures is Moses. God had a great task for him to accomplish. For 40 years God prepared him by his mundane work as a shepherd. Little did he realize that what he probably perceived as a "wasted" life (40 years in the wilderness) was actually God's preparation. His formal education in Egypt was critical, but his practical education in the wilderness was just as important. When God was ready to use him, he was ready to be used, even though he had insecurities.


Let me encourage you to prepare yourself as if you are being groomed for a world-class challenge. Then trust God to open the door at the right time and in the right place. Live each day with the expectation that this might be the day that God's great opportunity presents itself. Make sure that you have prepared yourself in the off season to be a champion!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Observations on the Ways of God

Exodus 39-40 are the concluding chapters of the Exodus story. These chapters detail the completion of Moses's constructing, furnishing, and erecting the wilderness Tabernacle of God. At first glance, it seems simply to recount the retelling of the tedious steps taken by the artisans, Bezalel, Oholiab, and their skilled associates about whom Scripture describes as those "He (God) filled...with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship" (Exodus 35:31).

Upon closer examination, however, I notice in these two concluding chapters a recurring theme, even a refrain. Seventeen times in these two chapters we read that the workmen did "just as The Lord had commanded Moses." God had said to Moses on the mountain, "This is what I want." Moses had communicated the instructions to the leadership of his craftsmen and they replicated precisely what God dictated. Finally, in Exodus 40:33, Scripture tells us "Thus, Moses finished the work." He and his people had fully obeyed God. With great consistency, they had obeyed God's word. 

I see an interesting aftermath. First, we read that when the obedience was complete, God's glory appeared. Exodus 40:34 tells us, "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." It is not that God had not been present, but now God's manifest presence was demonstrated. God was there and everybody knew it. Second, when the glory appeared, God's leading was clear. God's glory in and over the tabernacle, whether a cloud by day or the fire by night, dictated if it was time to stay put or move forward. The concluding verse of Exodus tells us, "For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel" (Exodus40:38).

So, what can we learn from these concluding chapters that applies to God's people today? Here are three lessons.


  1. It is God who raises up skilled workers to lead His people and build His work. In fact, it is God Himself who provides wisdom and skill in all ways to accomplish His will and work.
  2. God expects nothing less than complete obedience to what He has communicated. Churches and members too often miss God because they do not do as God has commanded. Moreover, incomplete obedience is simple disobedience. If we persist in disobedience, we ought not expect God's blessing. No wonder churches and Christians find themselves in so much unnecessary turmoil.
  3. When our obedience is complete and God manifests His presence, we can confidently expect God to lead. Of course, this brings us to the next insight with respect to God's ways--will we follow when God leads? The house of Israel learned a painful lesson when they balked at God's leading. That's a story for another time.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

A Letter to my Grandson, Henry Thomas Arbo, on the Occasion of his First Birthday

Henry, 

Today marks your first birthday. It is hard to believe that you have been in the family for 12 full months. I remember sitting at the kitchen table in your home in Parkville, Missouri when your mom announced that you were on the way. That was a special day. Your mom had a difficult pregnancy. She was sick with nausea almost every day up to the day of your arrival. She was quite the trooper.

I remember the first moment I laid my eyes on you. Your dad had you swaddled and he brought you to the doorway of the delivery room there at St.Luke's Hospital. From that moment forward you had your grandaddy wrapped around your little finger. 

You were born on April 1st which is technically the opening day of Major League Baseball. My favorite team is the Yankees and I have decided that their first game of the season played tonight will be in your honor.

You have been blessed with a rich heritage. Your dad is a brilliant and godly man with a tremendous work ethic. I admire his tenacity and willingness to dream big. The fact that he completed both a Masters and Doctorate at The University of Edinburgh still causes me to smile. He is fun and passionate about what he believes, is an outstanding professor with a tremendous future, and is passionately in love with your mom. What else could I ask for?

Your mom is our first born child. She was and is special in every way. She was always smart, goal driven, and full of energy. She is beautiful on the outside as well as the inside. Over the years she has been on multiple occasions a source of tremendous pride to your grandmother (Mimi) and myself. She means more to us than life itself. We were blessed with two wonderful daughters. I have said all of this to make a point. You have a tremendous root system of love and support. 

You have a unique personality that is all you. You are sweet, kind, loving, very smart, and strong-willed. We love seeing that twinkle in your eye. My prayer, and perhaps I should say our prayer for you, is that you grow to become everything God intended when He first created you inside your mom's tummy. You have tremendous gifts that we hope you will cultivate and develop, and use for the good of God and humanity. I want to challenge you to be diligent in your pursuit of God, character, wisdom and knowledge.

It has been a joy-filled year watching you grow and develop. Your first time to roll over, sit up, crawl, and walk (even though you still have to hold on), and eat at the table have been sources of joy and blessing to all of us. Mimi and I feel blessed to have been close to you this first year of your life.

In conclusion, I simply want you to know that you are loved incredibly and we will do everything possible by the grace of God to help you become the man God wants you to become. We are so very proud of you!

With much love and gratitude to God, 

Your Grandaddy

Dr. Jerry Sutton

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Seeing Life Through the Eyes of Jesus

This year I have embraced a spiritual discipline that I have not done before. My intention, as my friend Steve Gaines likes to say, "is to get into the Word so the Word gets into me." I am reading through the Old Testament once this year, and the New Testament monthly. By the year's end, I will have read the New Testament through 12 times. My first two trips through the New Testament were in the New American Standard translation. This month, I decided to read Eugene Peterson's paraphrase, The Message.

As I read his "Introduction to Matthew," I found an insightful reminder of the critical importance of seeing all of life through the eyes of Jesus: "Matthew provides the comprehensive context by which we see all God's creation and salvation completed in Jesus, and all the parts of our lives--work, family, friends, memories, dreams--also completed in Jesus. Lacking such a context, we are in danger of seeing Jesus as a mere diversion from the concerns announced in the newspapers. Nothing could be further from the truth" (p.11).

What sticks out as I read this passage is the word, "context." The Father's intention is that the life of Jesus Christ should provide the context of our lives. Our beliefs, our values, our allegiances, our decisions should all be informed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Because He is Lord, He has the right to define truth, reality, value, relationships, our decisions, our plans, and our priorities.

No problem should be solved, no decision or plan made without asking Him what He thinks about it. "Lord, is this your will? Does it honor You? Is this consistent with the truth You revealed in Your Word? Am I doing what You want?" That's what it means to see life through the eyes of Jesus. I am praying that you will purpose in your heart to live your life in that context. And why should we do this?

Jesus was not just a great prophet, a great religious leader, or inspiring personality. He was and is Almighty God who humbled Himself and took on the form of a human being. He came to earth with the expressed purpose of reconciling each person to the Father. He came to repair the broken relationship. In Paul's words, "He came to bring us to God." In His own words, "if you have seen Me (Jesus), you have seen the Father." And the Father wants us in His family. Now that Jesus has come, He wants us to live. He shows us how. Jesus never turned away anyone unless they refused to come on His terms. Let's let Him provide the context of our lives! Let's purpose in our hearts to see life through the eyes of Jesus!

Friday, February 28, 2014

What Successful Pastors Desire: Part 2

(Flickr/Betchaboy)
In my last blog post, I began to detail what successful pastors desire. Today I’m continuing that train of thought. 

So, what do successful pastors desire?

1. A successful pastor desires for his flock to be healthy and grow. He understands that when he was called to the congregation as its pastor, he was called to be its shepherd. God looks at him and says, "I am holding you responsible to provide leadership and oversight to My people." Just as a shepherd cares for his flock of sheep, a pastor cares for his flock of believers.
                                                                                                      
So, what kind of growth is the mark of a healthy church? First, it should be growing spiritually. This is a direct result of sound biblical preaching and discipleship. It should also be growing numerically. Until every community is totally saturated with the Gospel and every person has been reached, churches should be growing numerically. Successful pastors prioritize reaching lost people. What gets prioritized gets done. If no one is coming to faith in Christ, it is because it is not a priority. A church should also be growing relationally. Jesus said, "by this will all men know you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). Every successful pastor desires for his people to love and be loved. He also wants his congregation to grow in its influence. We are told that we are salt and light. Successful pastors want their church to make a difference in the world!

2. A successful pastor desires to build a high impact staff and leadership team. He wants to equip believers to be effective in ministry. He works to make each one maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. He works to make sure that each person is working in their areas of passion and giftedness. He works to ensure that each person understands his or her job, has the resources to fulfill his or her job, and has the freedom to pursue his or her goals. He gives them the freedom to fail, but not the freedom to fail massively. He is constantly pointing his leadership to the things that are of first importance. As a leader of leaders, he is responsible for defining reality and making sure everyone understands their part in the big picture.

3. A successful pastor desires to expand his influence and his impact. He understands the importance of reproducing himself. He knows that what he does is a direct result of who he is. He works at his relationship with the Lord. He works at his ministry responsibilities. He understands the biblical principles of sowing and reaping, and walking by faith. He prays that God would provide open doors of opportunity. He prays that God would give him insight into what the needs of his flock and community are. He looks to see where people are hurting and expends the effort to minister to the hearts of the people. He works to share with others what God has taught him. He networks with others to make a collective difference.

4. A successful pastor desires to fulfill the Great Commission in his generation. It is true that God's workmen die, but His work continues. Because of this the successful pastor lives in light of the truth that his opportunity is brief. So, he does all he can while he can. He constantly reflects Moses' admonition, "Lord, teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). He understands that because everyone dies, everyone needs to hear the Gospel. Everyone needs the opportunity to respond to the invitation of Christ. Everyone needs the opportunity to hear the claims of Christ and have their sins forgiven. He is passionate about taking the Gospel to the lost world.

5. Finally, a successful pastor desires to receive his Master's reward for faithful service. It is amazing to me how often Jesus spoke of rewards. Repeatedly in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "and He who sees in secret will reward you openly." The Bible promises a reward for those who have been faithful. Paul noted that "it is required of stewards that one be found faithful." In several parables, the point is that the servant (or steward) be faithful, and upon the Master's return hears the commendation, "well done good and faithful servant." Every successful pastor desires to hear that same commendation when he steps into the presence of The Lord. "Well done good and faithful servant."

These are some of the things that I believe successful pastors desire. What do you think?

If you missed them, take a look at my other posts on successful pastors:


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

What Successful Pastors Desire: Part 1

David wrote in Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Complementing that promise are the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these other things (the necessities of life) will be given to you" (Matthew 6:33). Both of these verses address issues of what we desire and what we need. When it comes to successful pastors, certain common aspirations mark their lives. Here are some of the most important.

1. A successful pastor desires to please God in all things. It is not enough to work for God or serve God. God looks past the externals and examines the motives, drives, and aspirations of our hearts. Recall how Scripture informs us that on specific occasions the Father said of the Son, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased" (Matthew 3:17, 17:5, Luke 3:22). Paul provides insight for the pastor when he writes in 2 Corinthians 5:9, "Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him." At different times pleasing God can include what we do as well as what we refuse to do. Sometimes it is work and sometimes it is rest. It pleases God when we depend upon Him for guidance in daily decisions.

2. A successful pastor desires to fulfill his calling. The call of God is a sobering and mysterious reality. Scripture is filled with passage after passage about how God calls people. He calls to salvation, calls to ministry, and calls to specific responsibilities in His kingdom. Every successful pastor has experienced these calls and is passionate about fulfilling them. Every successful pastor knows that God has given him certain gifts, experiences, and opportunities. And it is the desire of the pastor to accomplish all he can with what he has been entrusted. His desire is ultimately to hear, "Well-done good and faithful servant." Of course the key to fulfilling one’s calling is to be faithful over the long haul of ministry.

3. A successful pastor desires to grow constantly toward spiritual maturity. Like Jesus, the role model, we should constantly "be increasing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man" ( Luke 2:52). This short summary of Jesus' progress reflects our Lord's well-rounded development. Should we not aspire to be like Him in all our ways? Paul expressed his own desire when he wrote, "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ" (Colossians 1:28). Please understand that maturity is a process and a journey that is never complete this side of Heaven.

4. A successful pastor desires to make a difference for eternity. I believe that a serious question deserving serious consideration is this: "What have we done and what are we doing that will make a difference for eternity?" What in our efforts will bear fruit in eternity? What in our efforts will help populate Heaven? What in our efforts will demonstrate overcoming evil with good? What in our efforts will display the power and glory of God when everything hidden is revealed? What in our efforts will be the demonstration of over-coming faith? More specifically, whose life is different for the better because of your efforts?

5. A successful pastor desires for his family to be blessed. He is one who honors his parents, loves his spouse unconditionally, and nurtures his children and grand-children. He prays for his family. He provides for his family. He encourages his family. He protects his family. One of his great desires is that his family would know and experience the blessing of God. He wants the hand of God to be upon his own life, and also upon the lives of those he loves. He wants each person in his family to experience the presence of God and the fruitfulness that He produces. He wants to love and be loved. Each member of his family is viewed as a cherished gift from God.

6. A successful pastor desires to be healthy. He understands that whatever he accomplishes will be done in the body God has given him. He gets one body for life and has the responsibility to take care of it. So, he exercises, eats healthy, gets enough rest, and gets his yearly check-up. He avoids the kinds of behaviors and habits that are detrimental to his health. He understands that taking care of himself is a stewardship from God to which he will give an account. He takes seriously the admonition to "glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20).

7. Finally, a successful pastor desires to be financially secure. Because of this, he trusts God with his finances, considers all he has as a stewardship entrusted to him by God, and is disciplined in how he manages his resources. He knows the Scripture that teaches that a "workman is worthy of his hire," yet he is not in the ministry for the sake of money. He is not a hireling but a shepherd. His needs are not a motive to worry but to pray. In the end, he is trusting God to provide for his needs.

Next time I'll delve further into the desires of a successful pastor's heart.

Friday, February 14, 2014

7 Pillars of a Successful Pastor's Attitude

In my last blog post, I began sharing a list of qualities that successful pastors have. I want to continue that list today. You may want to ask yourself, "Do I have what it takes to be a successful pastor?" Or you may ask, "does my pastor have what it takes?" I believe these qualities can be developed as we pray, walk in obedience to the Word of God, and cultivate our skills through determined effort.

1. A successful pastor has God-confidence. If he knows that God called him and equipped him, and he knows that God is empowering him, why should he not expect the Lord to work in him and through him? Often times I find the key to God-confidence to be a tenacious holding on to the promises of God found in the Word of God. Coupled with this is a continuous disposition of prayer that refuses to concede unfruitfulness as normal. David Jeremiah put it this way: "Problems are situations engineered by God to help us recognize our weakness so that we will learn to depend on His strength."

2. A successful pastor has self-confidence. Before you start taking shots about pride and parading the flesh, let me explain. If God has called a man, and equipped a man, and that man has worked through adversity and been faithful, and has worked to hone his skills, why should he not be confident? One of the surest ways to walk in defeat is to constantly entertain notions of self-doubt. When I look at David facing Goliath, I see a man who was tested. He had great confidence because of what The Lord had already done in and through his life. In short, he has the courage of his convictions.

3. A successful pastor has a moral-compass. His morality is anchored in Scripture and he is not affected or influenced by the culture's shifting mores'. He is no respecter of popularity, political posturing, or moneyed interest. His only concern is that he be faithful to Biblical authority. His understanding of right and wrong, wisdom and foolishness is formed from his educated understanding of Scripture. Be reminded of George Orwell's words, "The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it." Refuse to deviate from truth! Bonhoeffer was right when he said, "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."

4. A successful pastor has an overwhelming sense of accountability to God. He knows that what has been entrusted to his charge will be reviewed by his Master. He is very much aware of the mandate communicated in Hebrews 13:17 which reminds him that he will give an account. Jesus taught much about accountability and compensation, rewards and loss. The successful pastor takes every word addressing these issues with a determined and deadly seriousness.

5. A successful pastor has focus. He knows what God has called him to do, and he does it. He is not distracted. He lives by his priorities. He constantly sees the big picture and knows his role in it. He invests the time, effort, mental energy, and intensity to impact his world with the Gospel. He is not constantly looking over his shoulder to see what others are thinking or saying, neither is he preoccupied with being somewhere else, or doing something else. He has focus!

6. A successful pastor has resiliency. Whenever there is a set back, resistance, or a defeat, he gets back up and keeps on going. When he gets knocked down, he gets back up. He is much aware of the maxim, "if you give up, you'll never know if you quit too soon." Heed the words of Bill Hybels, "We only have between this day and our final day to make a play for God." It is the courage to continue that counts! Or recall the words of Vince Lombardi, "It does not matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up."

7. Finally, a successful pastor has faith. By this, I mean that he has an expectancy that God will do what He says. He expects God to move in the lives of people. He expects God to supernaturally intervene in circumstances. He expects God to be God, and he refuses to accept or live with the status quo. Every successful pastor is identified by his faith!


These are some characteristics that mark what successful pastors have. These are what they have embraced and have become by so doing. What have you seen?

Friday, February 7, 2014

6 Traits of a Successful Pastor

In recent weeks I have been writing on successful pastors--what they are and what they know. Today, I’m commenting on what they have. These are the germinal ideas of the manuscript I am writing on the successful pastor. 

What you are and what you possess are two different issues altogether. Here are the traits that I believe a successful pastor must possess. These are the qualities that are built upon what a person is.

1. A successful pastor has determination. He knows the call of God on his life and the arena of his ministry, and seeks with all his heart and might to fulfill the will of God in that local. Bill Cosby once said, "in order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." The successful pastor is consumed with a determination to accomplish the will of God. In 2 Chronicles 2:1, "Solomon decided to build a house for the name of The Lord." He let nothing stop him. In Daniel 1:8, we are told that "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." Here are two of many examples in Scripture of men with determination. They would succeed or die trying!

2. A successful pastor has compassion. This means he cares about the people he is called to shepherd and called to reach. Repeatedly, Scripture tells us that Jesus had compassion on the multitudes, on the hurting, on the hungry, on the poor, on the neglected, on the afflicted, and on the abused. He saw people as "sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). His cared about those whom the world wrote off. The successful pastor has that same heart!

3. A successful pastor has discernment. Besides being sensitive to the Spirit's leading, he brings a biblical perspective (wisdom) to bear on every situation. He has learned to ask appropriate questions. Moreover, he has learned to make critical distinctions. For example, he understands the difference between means and ends,  principles and methods, and the temporal and the eternal. He looks at every situation with a discerning eye.

4. A successful pastor has vision. I am not writing about the distorted explanation of Proverbs 29:18, "where there is no vision the people perish" which in fact means "where there is no word from God, the people go unrestrained." I am addressing the simple skill where the pastor walks into a situation, assesses it, and knows what needs to be done. He sees with a set of spiritual eyes, he knows what God wants to accomplish and he communicates it clearly. 

5. A successful pastor has composure. In Paul's magnificent explanation of how love expresses itself, he states that, "love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered..." If I can provide one summary word covering all of this, I would argue that with respect to the way he deals with uncomfortable circumstances, the pastor maintains his composure. In short, he is not easily rattled and he guards his words carefully. In the words of one of my heroes, Adrian Rogers, "you don't have to take back what you do not say."

6. A successful pastor has "grasp." This is a term popularized by General of the Armies John Pershing, who commanded the US Expeditionary Forces in World War One. He sought officers with "grasp," men who saw clearly the reality of a situation, who knew what needed to be done, and who did it. In popular terminology, they "got it." A successful pastor has grasp. He sees the reality of a situation, knows what needs to be done, and does it. He does not ask anyone's permission to do the will of God.


What do you see in successful pastors you observe?

Thursday, January 30, 2014

What Is a Successful Pastor? Part 2


This blog is the second in a series on what success means for a pastor.

Christians in general and pastors, specifically, must be something before they can do something. If you reflect on John's Gospel, you will notice that Jesus identified Himself with seven "I Am" declarations. He starts with "I am the bread of life" (6:35) and concludes with "I am the true vine" (15:1). In the heart of His unfolding self-revelation, Jesus asserts, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am" (8:58). In each of these pronouncements, Jesus is communicating Who He is. 

Woven into John's Gospel is a complementary set of "signs" which John describes as "the manifestation of His glory" (2:11). These are things Jesus did. They began with Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (2:1-11) and concluded with Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (11-45). I notice that even the chief priests and Pharisees acknowledged that "this man is performing many signs" (11-47). Jesus' activities and signs were a display of His glory. He was doing something. My point? Just like Jesus, we must be something before we can do something. This principle applies especially to the successful pastor. So, what more can be said about who he is?

1. A successful pastor is loyal. He is loyal to his Lord who called him, to his calling, to his family, and to his work as a shepherd of God's people. The word "pastor" actually means "shepherd." What the shepherd is to his flock, the pastor is to his congregation.
Recall Jesus' commentary distinguishing between a shepherd and a hireling. One is loyal to his charge and the other is loyal only to himself, in it for what he can get out of it (10:10-13). A successful pastor's loyalty in the right place should be unquestionable.

2. The successful pastor is open. By this I mean open to God's leading. He is not satisfied with maintaining the status quo or simply occupying a position. He is sensitive to God's leading and will move at God's direction. Moses wanted God to send someone else to Egypt to deliver the Israelites from slavery. God had to persuade Moses to obey. Initially, Moses was not open, eventually he was. He moved from obstinate to open. Contrast that episode to Isaiah's calling, "Here am I, Lord, send me" (6:8). Successful pastors are open to God's leading, they simply obey His voice.

3. A successful pastor is approachable and resistant. What do I mean by this? James tells us (3:17), the wise person is "easy to be entreated." They are approachable. They listen. Yet, they are not necessarily persuaded. God's leaders are working off an agenda not their own. Recall when Nehemiah was approached by Sanballat and the other enemies. They said, "Come, let us meet together....", Nehemiah responded, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you" (6:2-4)? If you are working off God's agenda, be reluctant to get side tracked. Listen and then decide.

4. A successful pastor is authentic. He is not trying to be someone or something he is not. In the words of the old army slogan, he wants to be the best that he can be. I like what May Sarton wrote: "We must dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be." Dr. Seuss put it this way, "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one else who is you-er than you." Each person is created with a different set of gifts, abilities, temperaments, and passions. No two people have the same experiences. All of this combines to make the pastor, as well as the person, unique. The pastor is most successful when he is himself.

5 A successful pastor is humble. Humility is the quality which is opposite of pride. Pride is self-sufficient. Humility is God-sufficient. Scripture says that  "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Humility is displayed in two ways. First, God-dependence is seen in the pastor's prayer life. Prayer says, "God, I am depending on you." Second, it is seen as the pastor has an accurate understanding of who he is, who God made him to be. Consider Paul's admonition: "For through the grace of God given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3). Humility says "I think of myself accurately."

6. A successful pastor is loving. He has a genuine love not only for God but also people. Recall Jesus' words to His disciples, "By this shall all men know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). The greatest demonstration of that love is to give oneself to and for those he loves. The pastor's call is to love his flock because he loves his Lord. Recall Jesus words to Peter. "If you love Me, feed My sheep, tend my sheep" (John 21:15-17). The same is true for the pastor.

7. A successful pastor is holy. He is not perfect. Holiness means "set aside for God." It is a growing hatred of sin and a desire to live clean lives. Jerry Bridges put it nicely: "Offer yourself to God, and in so doing that commit yourselves to the pursuit of holiness in order to please Him." The mark of holiness is a passion to pursue a growing relationship with God.

8. Finally, a successful pastor is prepared. Only seldom has a pastor been effective apart from a solid education. In today's world, a seminary degree or its equivalent is seen as optional by many. Those, however, who escape that preparation find themselves shortchanged. Those who are called and surrendered to the ministry for the long haul should pay the price in time and effort to gain a biblical, theological, philosophical, historical, and practical foundation. Historically, God always prepares a person before He uses him. The successful pastor is prepared.


These are my thoughts. What do you think?

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

What is a Successful Pastor? Part I

Image Courtesy of Flickr User DrGBB
In John 9:5 Jesus stated, "While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world." This was a follow up to John 8:12 where Jesus identified Himself in the second of 7 "I am" statements: "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life." This sheds insight into Jesus' Sermon on the Mount declaration to His followers: "You are the light of the world....Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14a,16). I want to draw your attention to the Matthew statements. 

First you must be something before you can do something. 

In the language of Bible scholars, the indicative precedes the imperative. In that line of thought, a pastor must "be" something before he can "do" something. So what must a successful pastor be before he can do? 

1. A successful pastor is saved. At a point in his life, he heard the Gospel that God loves him, hates his sin, sent Jesus to take the punishment for his sin; and by faith he turned from his sin and placed his faith in Jesus Christ to be his Savior and Lord. In John's terminology, he both received Jesus and believed in Him. That pastor was born into the family of God. No one can be a successful pastor who is not saved. Someone might go through the motions of ministry, but will not make a spiritual impact.

2. A successful pastor is maturing, not necessarily mature. I learned a long time ago that maturity in its essence is a process and a journey, not a destination. The key is that the pastor is on the journey and is increasingly becoming like Jesus Christ. I would note that Paul cautions that a pastor not be a "novice."

3. A successful pastor is called. He has an understanding that God called him to a life-long vocational ministry. He understands that this is the call of God upon his life and that he cannot do anything else. Many times the only reason I, personally, stayed in a difficult situation was because I knew that God had called me and I could not do anything else. 

4. A successful pastor is surrendered. When God called him, he surrendered to that call. Years ago, I heard the testimony of a pastor who endured the persecution by Communists in Romania. In his message, he distinguished between commitment and surrender. He pointed out that if I commit myself to some endeavor, I can always back out because it is dependent upon me. If I surrender, however, the act is final. I surrendered. This was reflected in Jesus' words at Gethsemane: "not My will, but Yours be done." "I surrender all” is more than simply the words to a familiar song.

5. A successful pastor is disciplined. He has the ability to obey Christ's and his own commands. His flesh is daily crucified and his will is daily surrendered. He is in a constant process of renewing his mind so that he will be conformed to the image of Christ. He emulates Jesus as well as the great saints whose lives are recorded for us in Scripture.

6. A successful pastor is focused. He knows the call of God and with it the commensurate priorities, and gives himself to those things. He understands that there is a cost to becoming the pastor God intends for him to be....and he is willing to pay that price.

7. A successful pastor is a dreamer. His goal is not to get a paycheck or look good in the eyes of an adoring congregation. He longs for himself and his church to become everything God intended. He holds tenaciously to Paul's promise in Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to ALL generations forever and ever." Like Noah of old, he wants to hear the inaudible, see the invisible, and accomplish the impossible.

8. A successful pastor is thick-skinned. He has a predisposition to be insensitive to criticism. Not that he refuses to assess whether criticism is valid, but he is unwilling to be stopped by critics and carnal people whose agendas are not godly. In Spurgeon's words, every good pastor has one blind eye and one deaf ear. He is unwilling to be crippled by Satan's fiery darts and those who fling them.

These are some characteristics I have observed in successful pastors. I will continue these thoughts in next week's blog. I'd love to hear your thoughts on these observations. 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

What Every Pastor Needs From His Flock


Image Courtesy of Flickr User Mr. T in DC
I have often heard what churches need from their pastor. Usually the expectations are set extremely high. Today, I would like to reverse the equation and provide a glimpse of what a pastor needs from his flock. 

1. He needs for you to embrace a biblical understanding of his role and responsibility. God has called him to shepherd the flock of which you are a part. God holds him accountable to lead, feed, and intercede. That comes from Acts 6 where deacons are appointed to assist the pastors with the work of the ministry. You must understand that for your pastor, it is not just a job. It is a calling from God.

2. He needs your prayers. In Ephesians, Paul asked the congregation to pray for him. During the crisis time leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus told Peter that Satan had requested to "sift you like wheat." Then Jesus states, "but I have prayed for you." If Paul and Peter needed prayer on their behalf, certainly your pastor does as well. Every pastor trying to accomplish God's work faces tremendous opposition from the world, the flesh, and the devil. Please pray for him. You have no idea what he is dealing with on a daily basis and it is difficult to understand the burden he carries as God's shepherd of your flock.

3. He needs your loyalty. By this, I mean loyalty to the Lord, to him, and to your local church family. When you become a member of a congregation, certain obligations come and one of those is your support. If you cannot be supportive of your pastor, that may well be an indicator that you need to be in another church. 

4. He needs your commitment to a biblical vision. This means that you embrace the biblical mandates that the church exists to fulfill the Great Commission, to impact your community and the world with the Gospel, and to equip believers to accomplish the work of the ministry. Way too many churches seem to have lost that biblical vision of why they exist. Some even go so far as to question whether or not a church which has become completely inward focused instead of outward focused is even a church in the biblical sense. Perhaps that needs to be studied further.

5. He needs for you to give him the benefit of the doubt. Every pastor is human and makes mistakes. I challenge you to give him the benefit of the doubt that his heart is in the right place. It amazes me how many church members are quick to be critical and quick to speak. Perhaps we need to be reminded of James' words that we are to be swift to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Before you make a snap judgment or listen to gossip, it would be wise to exercise caution. Way too many pastors have been hurt by carnal gossip, and unquestioned and distorted perceptions of reality. If there is a problem, talk to him not about him.

6. He needs for you to be present and participating. No one can be present every time the church doors are open, but every member of a church family should be present on a consistent basis. Does not the Scripture admonish us "not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together?"

7. He needs for you to love him and his family. This includes encouragement, making sure he is provided for, that he has adequate time off, and that he has the tools he needs. He needs books, resources, time to learn and appropriate help.

As a member of the flock, you can help your Pastor be the man God has called him to be.